BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from amniotic fluid obtained by second-trimester amniocentesis.
METHODS
A novel two-stage culture protocol for culturing MSCs was developed. Flow cytometry, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were used to analyse the phenotypic characteristics of the cultured MSCs. Von Kossa, Oil… (More)

Proteinaceous inclusions are common hallmarks of many neurodegenerative diseases. TDP-43 proteinopathies, consisting of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by inclusion bodies formed by polyubiquitinated and hyperphosphorylated full-length and truncated… (More)

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutations associated with familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) usually lead to increases in amyloid β-protein (Aβ) levels or aggregation. Here, we identified a novel APP mutation, located within the Aβ sequence (Aβ(D7H)), in a Taiwanese family with early onset AD and explored the pathogenicity of this mutation. Cellular and… (More)

Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) are multipotent stem cells that may be used in transplantation medicine. In this study, AFSCs established from amniocentesis were characterized on the basis of surface marker expression and differentiation potential. To further investigate the properties of AFSCs for translational applications, we examined the cell surface… (More)

In this study, a classic L2 learning orientation framework and a multi-faceted implementation intention construct were used to predict self-regulation. Attention was particularly paid to the way in which different types of implementation intentions predicted the self-regulatory capacity. A two-phase research design was executed. A pilot was conducted to… (More)